In Andhra Pradesh, about 46 thousand acres of barren land, assigned to SCs and STs has been brought under cultivation after providing irrigation facility under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. About 25 thousand SC and ST farmers have been benefitted under the special initiative called Indira Jala Prabha in the past seven months in the state.About 2 lakh 30 thousand acres of assigned land will be brought under cultivation this year with the help of MGNREGP.

During last Kharif season, it was all barren and unsown land, yielding almost nothing for the poor farmers even after putting in hard work. The 25 thousand SC and ST beneficiaries of the anti-poverty initiative, called Indira Jala Prabha taken up under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in Andhra Pradesh are now proud farmers who are either growing horticulture crops like mango or sowing regular crops like paddy due to uninterrupted water facility provided through bore wells under the scheme. Aimed at providing assured water source to 10 lakh acres of parched land belonged to SCs and STs, the anti-poverty measure was initiated under the MG-NREGP about seven months ago. Under this, a cluster of 10 acres assigned land belonged to SCs and STs is identified and provided continuous water supply by digging bore wells or tube wells. An electrified motor pump set is being fixed free of cost. Fifty percent of the entire cost is being met under the MGNREGP while the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is providing the remaining. On completion of this special project by 2015, it is estimated that an income of 3800 crore rupees per annum is assured to about six lakh SC ST families in the state.